Invalid-carrier.



H. VIZENTS.

INVALID CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2, 1912.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l- 3 1 mu THY/0276607."

75%, ,o'e/dvb.

mm pnms coy, rnomurna. wAsnm H. VIZENTS.

INVALID CARRIER.

APPLICATION man AUG-2.1917.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

Ill/615% W w ii H.v VIZENTS.

INVALID crmmen. APPLICATION FILED AUG-2. I917- 1,293,996. Patented Feb.11,1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

IIURRIS runs 00.. Momma-um, WAsIIIL'cYON, u. c.

H. VIZENTS. INVALID CARRIER. APPLICATION FILED AUGZ. 1911.

Patented Feb. 11, 1919.

5 SHEETSSHEEI 4 v rms a. Puu'wumo H. VIZENTS.

I INVALID CARRIER.

APPLICATION HLED AUG.2. 1911.

Patented Feb.11,1919.

5 SHEETS SHEEI 5- Min Qu hm R "mm mum c barman smarts rarnn'r osrica.

HERMAN VIZENTS, or CHICAGO, ILLmoIs.

INVALID-CARRIER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN VIzENTs, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Invalid-Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an invalid carrier or stretcher apparatus and seeks to provide an improved stretcher construction having a flexible sheet adapted to be moved into and out of position beneath a recumbent invalid. The invention also seeks to provide a portable frame and means for supporting and raising and lowering the stretcher frame, the whole being particularly designed to remove a. helpless invalid from a bed, and replace him thereon without causing him discomfort or pain.

The invention consists in the features of improvement hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the preferred form in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawin s, Figure 1 is a. view in front elevation o the preferred form of the improved carrier. Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof on the line 22 of Fig. 1, with the stretcher frame of the carrier upon a bed, the latter also being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the stretcher frame and associated parts. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 44 of Fig. 3, the parts being shown on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a detail section on line aa of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail section of the winding apparatus for operating the stretcher sheet, parts being shown in section on the lines 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 3. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sections on the lines 66 and 7-7 respectively of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is an enlar ed detail plan view of a portion of the stretcher frame and the means for extending the stretcher sheet with parts broken away and parts shown in section. Fig. 9 is a detail section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of the hoisting gearing, the casing therefor being shown in section. Fig. 11 is a detail section of the hoisting mechanism on the lines 11-11 of Figs. 1 and 10.

The improved carrier comprises a stretcher which is preferably mounted upon a portable frame provided with lift mechanism for raising and lowering the stretcher. In

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 11, 1919 Application filed August 2, 1917.

Serial No. 184,030.

the construction shown, the portable frame is formed largely of iron or steel tubing and comprises two standards 10 having laterally offset upper and lower end portions 11 and 12. The standards are connected adjacent their lower ends by a horizontal, tubular brace bar 13 and the offset upper ends 11 of the standards are connected by a horizontal tubular brace bar 1 1. The lower offset ends 12 of the standards are mounted on small bases or boards 15 each of which is provided with a pair of caster wheels 16 so that the apparatus can be readily moved about. The parts of the portable frame thus far described are connected together by suitable couplings 17. The outer ends of the base boards 15, in the construction shown are connected by an angle bar 18.

The stretcher frame comprises horizontal side bars 19 connected at their ends by inverted U-bars 20. The portable frame is provided with a hoisting apparatus for sustaining the stretcher frame and preferably the hoisting means is connected to an intermediate guide frame upon which the stretcher frame is mounted. This guide frame comprises a pair of transverse horizontal bars 21 having clips 22 fixed thereto intermediate their ends, the clips being connected by a longitudinally extending bar 23. The outer ends of the bars 21 are down turned and slidingly fit within a pair of tubular guides 24 which are mounted on the main frame by means of clips 25 and 26' fixed respectively to the horizontal bars 13 and 18 at the front of the main frame.

The upper portions of the end bars 20 of the stretcher frame are provided with brackets 27 and 28, the brackets 27 being arranged in rear of and adjacent the central portions of the bars 20 and the brackets 28 being ar ranged adjacent the front portions thereof. These brackets are provided with projecting lugs 29-which extend beneath the horizontal guide bars 21 and also with rollers 30 which engage the upper portions of the guide bars. Preferably these bars are rounded and the rollers are provided with V-shaped grooves fitting thereon. A clamp 31 mounted on one of the forward lugs 29 is held in engagement with one of the guide rods 21 by a clamp screw 82. The latter is provided with a handle 33 so that the clamp can be readily manipulated to secure the stretcher frame to the guide frame. By loosening the clamp screw the stretcher frame can be adjusted laterally upon the guide rods 21 and then, by tightening the clamp screw, secured to the guide frame in adjusted position.

The stretcher and guide frame are raised and lowered by two chains 3 f connected to the clips 22 of the guide frame. These chains extend upwardly over guide rollers 35 mounted on brackets 36 on the upper horizontal frame bar 14:. The chains then extend laterally to a pair of winding drums 37 mounted on a short horizontal shaft 38. This shaft is carried in a casing 39 whichis fixed to the projecting right-hand end of the frame bar 1 1 and is provided at its upper inner portion with a guide 40 for the chains. A worm wheel 4:1 fixed to the shaft between the drums 37 engages a worm 42, on the upper end of a vertical shaft 43. The latter is journaled at its upper end in the casing 39 and its lower end in a bracket 4% which is fixed to the right-hand standard 10 of the main frame and projects inwardly therefrom. A short rearwardly extendinw horizontal shaft is journaled on the hracket 4A and is connected at its rear end to the shaft 43 by a pair of beveled gears 46. At its outer end this shaft is provided with a hand wheel 17 which can be rotatedto operate the chain hoisting drums 37. By operating the chain hoisting drums through a self-locking worm gearing, the stretcher frame will remain in any position in which it is set by the operator.

The stretcher frame is provided with a flexible stretcher sheet 18 formed of upper and lower strips of stout canvas and having transverse stiffening cross slats 49 preferably formed of thin sheet steel. The cross slats are sewed within pockets in the canvas strips and project beyond the edges thereof, and the projecting ends of the slats are connected by cords 50 extending through holes therein. The stretcher sheet is fastened at one end by screws 51 to one end or, what may be termed, the foot of the stretcher frame. Fronrthis point the stretcher sheet extends toward the opposite or head end of the stretcher frame and over a draw member or roller 52 and thence rearwardly beneath the draw member or roller. A pair of broad canvasor leather straps 53 are connected to the opposite end of the stretcher sheet and are also connected to a tubular portion of a winding reel 54. This reel is provided with end flanges'or heads 55 and is mounted on a transverse horizontal shaft 56 which is journaledin a pair of brackets 57 that extend upwardly and rearwardly from the end bar 20 at the foot of the stretcher frame. By rotating the reel, the straps 53 and the stretcher sheet 48 can be wound up thereon and, during this operation, the draw member or roll 52 will be moved toward the foot of the stretcher frame. To guide the stretcher sheet 48 and straps 53 as they are wound upon and unwound from the reel, a transverse guide roller 58 is journaled between the side bars 19 of the stretcher frame at the foot thereof.

The draw member or roller 52 is journaled at its ends in two blocks 59 which are longitudinally movable within guide ways, formed in the side bars 19 of the stretcher frame. For conveniently forming such guide ways these side bars are preferably in the form of channel bars, the flanges of which project inwardly. For reducing friction each of these blocks is provided with two rollers 60 arranged within recesses therein and the blocks at opposite sides of the stretcher frame are connected by a transverse brace bar 61.

For moving the blocks 59 and the draw member or roll 52 toward the head end of the stretcher frame a pair of chains 62 are connected to the blocks and extend for wardly therefrom over guide r'ollers or sl'ieaves 63 mounted on the side bars 19 of the stretcher frame at the head end thereof. Thence the chains extend rearwardly above the side bars 19 and over guide sheaves or rollers 64 at the foot of the stretcher frame and thence upwardly over a pair of winding dr'un'1s65. The guide sheaves or 'rollersea are mounted upon a pair of brackets 66 on the lower end portions of the end bar 20 at the foot of the stretcher frame. The chain winding drums are preferably mounted upon the shaft 56 at opposite ends of the windingreel 5aand means such as hereinafter described, are provided for operating the shaft 56 in op posite directions and so either wind up the chains 62 or the straps 53 and stretcher sheet l8. lVhen the reel 5 1 is rotated to wind up the straps 53 and 'stretchersheet 1 8,the drw roller 52 is moved to the foot of "the'stretcher frame. VVh'en the drums ar'e rotated to wind up the chains 62, the draw roller will he moved longitudinally of the stretcher frame from the foot to the head end thereof and thereby draw the flexible stretcher sheet from its winding reeland extend-it upon the frame. During the winding and un winding movements of the stretcher sheet, its lower reach is gu'ided by a pair of strips 67 fixed to the lower faces of the side bars 19 and projecting inwardly therefrom heneath the ends of the 'cross slats 49 of the stretcher sheet. The movement of the stretcher sheet over the guide roll 58 is guided by two L-shaped pieces 68 fixed to the ends of the side bars 19 and projecting upwardly therefrom. 1

When the stretcher sheet is in extended position it is upheld by a series of supports which project inwardly from the side bars 19 beneath the ends of the cross slats. 1 These supports are in the form of slides 69 which are projected into and out of operative position a the stretcher sheet is extended over its frame and withdrawn therefrom. For this purpose the supporting slides 69 are mounted in pockets 70 formed in the upper faces of the side bars 19 and are held against vertical displacement from such pockets by strips 71 which extend over and are secured to the upper faces of the side bars. Pins 72 fixed to the supporting slides project downwardly through enlarged openings 73 formed in the upper flange of the U-shaped side bars and limit the lateral movement of the slides into and out of operative position. A pair of cam blocks 74 each having oppositely inclined faces are fixed to the upper portion of each slide or block 59 and are oppositely disposed and relatively offset as shown in Fig. 8 so that an inclined groove 75 is formed between them. The parts are so arranged that, as the draw roll is moved toward the head end of the stretcher to extend the sheet, the inclined cam groove 75 will successively engage the pins 72 and project the supporting slides 69 beneath the ends of the slats 49 of the upper reach of the stretcher sheet. As the stretcher sheet is withdrawn from the frame, the cam grooves 75 successively engage the slides and draw them back into the pockets 70. If any of the slides are misplaced or improperly projected while the sheet is withdrawn from the frame, the forward ends of the cam blocks 74 will engage and withdraw the same in advance of the draw roll 52 as the latter is moved forwardly or toward the head end of the stretcher.

The chain Winding drums 65 and the sheet winding reel 54 are loose on the operating shaft 56. Two ratchets 76 fixed to the opposite ends of the shaft are provided with teeth which face in'right-hand direction, when viewed from the outer side of the apparatus as shown in Fig. 7. These ratchet wheels cooperate with dogs or pawls 77 pivoted to the outer faces of the chain winding drums 65 and which are pressed into engagement with the ratchets by springs 78. The shaft is also provided with a ratchet wheel 79 having teeth facing in opposite or in left-hand direction as shown in Fig. 6 and which coiiperates with a dog or pawl 80 pivoted on the adjacent head 55 of the winding reel and held in engagement with the ratchet wheel by a spring 81. By rotating the shaft 56 in right-hand direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7, the ratchets 76 drive the chain winding drums 65 and by rotating the shaft in left-hand direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6, the ratchet 7 9 drives the winding reel 54. When the winding drums 65 are driven to wind up the. chains 62 the draw roller 52, as described, is movedtoward the head end of the stretcher frame and the stretcher sheet is withdrawn from the reel 54 and extended upon the frame. When the reel is driven, the straps 53 and stretcher sheet are wound up thereon, the draw roll 52 and slide blocks 59 are moved toward the foot of the stretcher frame and the chains 62 are unwound from the drums 65.

Because the stretcher sheet is looped over the draw roll 52, it is wound and unwound faster than the chains 62. The relative speeds of the chains and winding sheet also vary because the effective diameters of the winding reel and drums vary as the sheet and chains are wound and unwound. For these reasons, while the ratchet 76 will move idly in left-hand direction beneath the dogs 77 as the stretcher sheet is wound up and the chains unwound, the ratchet 79 will interfere with the unwinding movement of the reel 54 since the latter, during its unwinding movement in right-hand direction, rotates faster than the shaft 56 and the ratchet 79. For this reason, means is provided for disengaging the pawl 80 from the ratchet 79 during the right-hand rotation of the latter. For this purpose, a trip 82 is mounted on the pivot of the pawl 80 overlaps and is held in engagement with the pawl by a spring 83 which connects the trip and the tail of the pawl. The end of this trip is arranged to cooperate with an annular cam 84 provided at one point with a part 85 which is fixed to a transverse horizontal brace rod 86 that extends between the brackets 57. The inner periphery of this fixed annular cam is provided with a series of lugs 87 which correspond to the number of teeth on the ratchet 79 and are arranged to engage the trip 82 as the latter rotates with the reel 54. The trip has a one-way engagement with the pawl 80 and, when the shaft 56 and ratchet 59 are rotated in left-hand direction to drive the reel 54, the engagement of the trip 82 with the lugs 87 of the cam 84 idly oscillates the trip on its pivot against the tension of the spring 83 without moving the pawl or dog 80. But, when the shaft i rotated in the opposite direction to drive the chain winding drums, the engagement of the cam lug 87 with the trip lifts the pawl 80 over the teeth of the ratchet 79, so that the reel 54 can rotate faster than the shaft.

The arrangement described simplifies the construction since the winding drums and reel can all be mounted on and be operated by the same shaft. The stationary can} 84 as it engages the trip 82 also acts as a brake to hold the stretcher sheet under a slight tension during its unwinding movement. To hold the chains 62 under tension during their unwinding movement a pair of brake shoes 88 are arranged to engage the drums 65. These'shoes are pivoted upon the upper ends of arms 89 and are arranged to fit between the flanges of the drums 65. The arms 89 are pivotally mounted on the horizontal brace rod 86 and springs 90 are connected to the lower ends thereof and to the brackets 57 and serve to yieldingly press the brake shoes into engagement with the drums 65.

In the construction shown, the operating shaft 56 is driven from a short horizontal shaft 91 by a pair of speed reducing gears 92 and 93. These gears are inclosed by and the shaft 91 is journaled in a casing 94 mounted upon the upper end of the bracket 57 at the outer side of the machine. The forward projecting end of the shaft 91 is provided with an operating hand Wheel 95. To guard the ratchets 76 and pawls 77 the outer faces of the winding drums are provided with projecting annular flanges 96.

The portable frame and hoisting devices thereon are adapted to support the stretcher frame above the supporting surface of a bed. The length of the stretcher frame and parts mounted thereon is somewhat less than the length of the ordinary bed so that it will it between the head and foot thereof. By

raising the stretcher frame to the proper height withdrawing the stretcher sheet therefrom, it can be moved over an invalid on the bed and then lowered to position with the side bars resting 011 the mattress or other supporting surface of the bed on opposite sides of the invalid. The latters heels are then raised and placed upon the stretcher sheet above the draw roll 52. Shaft 56 is then rotated to move the draw roll longitudiually of the frame and extend the stretcher sheet thereof. Duringthis movement the upper reach of the stretcher sheet is not moved at all and the lower reach moves upwardly. about the draw roll and thus progressively lifts the portions of the invalids body and gradually passes the stretcher sheet beneath the invalid. IV hen the stretcher sheet is fully extended the invalid has been lifted through a distance equal to the width of the roller 52 (which need be only two or three inches in diameter) and placed upon the upper reach of the stretcher sheet. As the latter is extended it is supported, as described, by the slides 69 which engage the ends of the cross slats of the sheet. In placing the stretcher sheet beneath the invalid, the latters head rather than his feet, may, if desired, first be placed upon the portion of the stretcher sheet above the draw roll. The operation also may be facilitated by placing a narrow pad or pads beneath the hips or shoulders, or both, of the invalid and placing the pad or pads over the portion of the stretcher sheets above the draw roll. When the patient is placed upon the stretcher, the latter may be raised and the patient carried to another bed or may comfortably rest upon the stretcher frame while his own bed is made up. To replace the patient in bed, the stretcher frame is again lowered thereon and the shaft 56 operated to wind up the lower reach of the stretcher sheet which will be withdrawn from beneath the patient. As the sheet is withdrawn, the only movement of the upper reach thereof, upon which the patient rests, is a lowering movement as it passes down over the draw roll 52. That is to say, the flexible stretcher sheet is connected or fixed at one end to the frame and passes inwardly over the draw roll and thence outwardly therefrom so that the upper reach of the sheet or the portion thereof extended in operative position beneath the invalid is held against longitudinal movement, while the draw roll, which engages the bight of the sheet between the upper and lower reaches thereof, progressively transfers successive portions of the bodily moving lower reach to the stationary upper reach as the roll is moved toward the head of the stretcher frame; Similarly, as the lower reach is wound up and the roll moved toward the foot of the frame, successive portions of the sheet are progressively transferred from the stationary upper reach to the moving lower reach of the sheet. In this way the stretcher sheet is moved into and out of position beneath th recumbent invalid without bodily shifting the upper reach of the sheet whereon the invalid is supported. It should be noted that the shiftable supporting slides uphold the extending operative portion or upper reach of the stretcher out of contact with the movable lower reach. For this reason, and since the stretcher sheet is provided with stiffening cross slats, the lower movable reach is relieved of weight imposed upon the stretcher sheet and the latter can therefore be readily extended and withdrawn into and out of position beneath a recumbent invalid. It should also be noted that the means for shifting the draw roll are connected to its opposite ends and are so arranged that they do not obstruct the stretcher frame when the sheet is withdrawn therefrom and do not interfere with the extension of the upper reach of the sheet beneath the invalid.

In placing the stretcher frame in position it can be adjusted laterally, if desired, upon the guide rods 21 by loosening the clamp 81. hen the clamp 31 is engaged,

the stretcher frame is secured to the guide frame and is thereby held against swaying or movin laterally as it is raised and lowered. For moving the stretcher frame laterally the front side bar 19 is provided with a central handle 97. 7

While the improved stretcher having a flexible sheet and means for moving the sheet into and out of position beneath a recumbent invalid is preferably mounted upon a portable wheeled frame having means for raising and lowering the stretcher, the wheel frame and lifting means may, if desired, be omitted. Other changes may be made in the details set forth without departure from the essentials of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In an invalid carrier, a portable frame comprising connected side bars adapted to be lowered into position with said bars on either side of a recumbent invalid, a flexible stretcher sheet for said frame, and means mounted on said frame for extending and withdrawing said sheet longitudinally thereof and into and out of position beneath the recumbent invalid.

2. An invalid carrier comprising a portable open stretcher frame, a flexiblestretcher sheet adapted to be withdrawn from said frame to permit the latter to .be placed upon a supporting surface and about a recumbent invalid thereon, means acting on successive transverse portions of said sheet to extend the same longitudinally of said frame and beneath the recumbent invalid, and supporting means for upholding the extended sheet on said frame. 7

3. In an invalid carrier, a portable stretcher frame comprising connected side bars adapted to be placed in position with said bars on opposite sides of a recumbent invalid, a flexible stretcher sheet for said frame, a draw member over which said sheet passes, said draw member having guiding connections with said side bars and .adapted to be moved longitudinally .of said frame to extend said sheet beneath the invalid.

4. In an invalid carrier, a portable open stretcher frame comprising connected side bars, guide blocks slidably mounted on said side bars, a draw roll rotatably mounted at its ends in said guide blocks, and a flexible Stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extended inwardly over and beneath said draw roll.

5. In combination in an invalid carrier, a portable stretcher frame adapted to be placed over the supporting surface of a bed or the like, a transverse longitudinally movable draw member on said frame, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extending inwardly around said draw member and thence outwardly therefrom to form upper and lower reaches, means for supporting the upper reach of said sheet on said frame, and a winding reel connected to the lower reach of the sheet.

6. In an invalid carrier, a portable open frame comprising connected side bars, a transverse longitudinally movable draw member having guide connections at its ends with the side bars of said frame, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at ens end to one end of said frame and extending inwardly over said draw member, winding devices mounted on said frame and separate flexible connections between said winding devices and the opposite ends ,of said draw member to shift the latter and thereby extend said sheet upon said open frame.

7. In an invalid carrier, a portable open stretcher frame comprising connected side bars, a winding reel mounted on one end of said frame, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame at a point adjacent said reel and connected at its opposite end to said reel, said reel being adapted to wind said sheet thereon and withdraw the same from said frame, a longitudinally movable, rotatable draw roll having guiding connections at its ends with the side bars of said frame, said draw roll engaging a bight of said sheet and arranged to withdraw the same from said reel and extend it longitudinally of said frame, and means for supporting the extended sheet upon said frame.

8. In combination in a portable invalid carrier, a flexible stretcher sheet folded upon itself to form upper and lower reaches,

means for upholding said upper reach to thereby relieve the lower reach of weight imposed on the upper reach, and means arranged to engage the fold of said sheet for extending the upper reach thereof over a supporting surface and beneath a recumbent invalid on such surface.

' 9. In combinationin a portable invalid carrier, a flexible stretcher sheet having stiffening cross slats and folded. upon itself to form upper. and lower reaches, the latter being bodily movable in its own plane, a longitudinally movable memberarranged to engage the fold of said sheet. and extend the same over a supporting surface and beneath arecumbent invalid thereon, and means for upholding the upper reach of said sheet to thereby relieve the lower reach of weight im posed on the upper reach.

10. In an invalid carrier, a portable open stretcher frame comprising connected side bars, a transverse longitudinally movable draw member having guiding connections at its ends with the side bars of said frame, a flexible stretcher sheet, having stiffening cross slats, said sheet being connected at one end to said frame, extending inwardly over and beneath said draw member and thence outwardly therefrom to form a stationary upper reach and a lower reach longitudinally' movable in its own plane, and supporting means on said frame arranged to engage and uphold the extended upper reach of said sheet and relieve the lower reach of weight imposed upon the upper reach.

11. In combination in an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a. flexible stretcher sheet means for extending said. lieet upon sa-i.

frame and for withdrawing the same, shiftable supports for sustaining said sheet in extended position and means for moving said supports into and out of operative position as said sheet is extended and withdrawn.

12. In combination in an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a flexible stretcher sheet having stiffening cross slats, a transverse, longitudinally movable draw roll for extending said sheet upon said frame, said sheet being connected at one end to said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, a reel connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same, supports for sustaining said sheet in extended position and means for moving said supports into and out of operative position as said sheet is extended and withdrawn.

13. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame comprising connected side bars having guideways therein, a flexible stretcher sheet having stiffening cross slats, a transverse draw roll, slide blocks longitudinally movable in said guide ways whereon said draw roll is mounted, said .shcet being fixed at one end to said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, means for moving said slide blocks and draw roll longitudinally of said frame to extend said sheet, means for withdrawing said sheet, andslides for supporting said sheet in extended position mounted on said side bars, said slide blocks having cams for shifting said sheetsupporting slides into and out of operative position as said sheet is extended and withdrawn.

14L. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame comprising connected side bars, a transverse draw roll extending between said side bars, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, means for moving said draw roll longitudinally of said frame for extending said sheet and a reel connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same, said frame having means for guiding the movement of the lower reach :of said sheet and means for supporting the upper reach thereof.

15. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame comprising connected side bars, a transverse draw roll extending between said side bars, a flexible stretcher sheet having stiffening cross slats, said sheet being fixed at one end to one end of said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, meansfor moving said draw roll longitudinally of said frame to extend said sheet, a reel mounted onsaid frameand connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same, guides for the lower reach of said isheet'fixedto said side bars, slides for supporting the upper reach of said sheet movably mounted on said side bars and means for moving said slides into and out of operative position as said sheet is extended and withdrawn.

16. An invalid carrier comprising a portable stretcher frame, a transverse draw member on said frame, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame extending inwardly aroundsaid draw member and thence outwardly therefrom, and separate winding devices connected respectively to the ends of said draw member and to the lower reach of said sheet for extending and withdrawing the latter longitudinally of said frame.

17. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a flexible stretcher sheet, a draw member over which said sheet extends, separate winding devices connected to said draw member and to said sheet for extending and withdrawing the latter, and a common operating shaft whereon said winding devices are mounted.

18. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a transverse longitudinally movable draw roll, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, winding drums, connections therefrom to the ends of said draw roll for extending said sheet, and a. winding reel connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same.

19. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a transverse longitudinally movable draw roll, a flexible'stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, winding drums, connections therefrom to the ends of said draw roll for extending said sheet, a winding reel connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same, a common operating shaft whereon said drums and said reels are loosely mounted, and oppositely acting clutch devices for connecting said drums and said reel to said shaft.

20. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a transverse longitudinally movable draw roll, .a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extending over and beneath said draw roll, winding drums, connections therefrom to the ends of said draw roll for extending said sheet, a winding reel connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same, a common operating shaft whereon said drums and said reel are loosely mounted, oppositely acting pawl and ratchet clutches for connecting said drums and said reel to said shaft and means for disengaging the pawl and ratchet for said reel during the unwinding movement thereof.

21. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame, a transverse longitudinally movable draw roll, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one. end tosaid frame and extending over pawl and ratchet for said reel during the unwinding movement thereof.

. 22. In an invalid carrier, a portable wheeled frame, hoisting devices mounted on said portable frame and having flexible connections extending to said stretcher frame for supporting and bodily raising and lowering the latter, said portable frame and hoisting devices being arranged to support said stretcher frame above a bed and the latter being arranged to fit between the head and footboards of the bed, and guiding devices interposed between said portable frame and said stretcher frame for holding the latter against lateral movement.

23. In an invalid carrier, a portable wheeled frame, a stretcher frame, a vertically movable guiding frame whereon said stretcher frame is laterally adjustable, and hoisting devices mounted on said portable frame for raising and lowering said guiding and stretcher frames, said portable frame having means for holding said guiding frame against lateral movement.

24. In a movable' carrier, a portable wheeled frame, a stretcher frame comprising sidebars and connecting end bars of inverted U-shape, a guiding frame comprising two transverse bars and a' longitudinal bar connecting said transverse bars, the latter having depending portions and said portable frame having fixed guides engaging said depending portions, rollers and guide lugs on the end bars of said stretcher frame engaging the transverse bars of said guide frame, a clamp for holding said stretcher frame in adjusted position on said guiding frame and hoisting devices mounted on said portable frame and connected to said stretcher frame.

25. In an invalid carrier, a portable wheeled frame, a stretcher frame, a flexible stretchersheet therefor, mechanical devices carried by said frames for extending and withdrawing said sheet longitudinally of said stretcher frame and into and out of position beneath a recumbent invalid and r hoisting devices mounted on said portable frame and connected to said stretcher frame, said portable frame and hoisting devices being arranged to support said stretcher frame above a bed.

26. In an invalid carrier, a portable wheeled frame, astretcher frame, hoisting devices mounted on said portable frame and connected to said stretcher frame, said portable frame and hoisting devices being arranged to hold said stretcher frame above a bed, a flexible stretcher sheet for said stretcher frame, a transverse draw member for said sheet, the latter being connected at one end to said stretcher frame and extend ing over and beneath said draw member, and winding devices mounted. on said stretcher frame and connected to said draw member and said sheet for extending and withdrawing the latter.

2-7. An invalid carrier comprising a portable open stretcher frame adapted to be placed upon a supporting surface and about a recumbent invalid thereon, a transverse draw member on said frame, and a flexible stretcher sheet extending around said draw member, said draw member being movable longitudinally of said frame to place succes sive portions of the sheet in extended operative position on said frame and beneath the invalid, said sheet being connected at one end to said frame to thereby hold the 9 extended operative portion of the sheet against movement as said draw member is shifted.

28. An invalid carrier comprising a portable open stretcher frame adapted to be placed upon a supporting surface and about a recumbent invalid thereon, a transverse draw roll mounted on said frame, a flexible stretcher sheet extending around said draw roll, the latter being rotatable and longitudinally movable on said frame to thereby place successive portions of said sheet in extended operative position beneath the invalid, said sheet being connected at one end to said frame to thereby hold the extended operative portion thereof against movement as said draw roll is shifted, and supporting means on said frame for engaging and upholding the extended operative portion of said sheet.

29. An invalid carrier comprising a portable open stretcher frame adapted to be placed in position upon a supporting surface and about a recumbent invalid thereon, a transverse draw member on said frame and a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to said frame and extending inwardly over said draw member and thence outwardly therefrom to form upper and lower reaches. said draw member being movable longitudinally of said frame and arranged to transfer successive portions of the lower reach of said sheet to the upper reach thereof to thereby move the same into position beneath the recumbent invalid.

30. An invalid carrier comprisng a portable open stretcher frame adapted to be placed in position upon a supporting surface and about a recumbent invalid thereon,

flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end to one end of said frame and extending inwardly over said draw roll and thence out wardly therefrom to form a stationary up per reach and a movable lower reach, said roll being rotatable and longitudinally movable on said frame to thereby transfer successive portions of said sheet from one reach thereof to the other, and supporting means on said frame for engaging and upholding the upper reach of said sheet.

31. An invalid carrier comprising a portable stretcher frame, a transverse draw member thereon, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end of said frame and extending inwardly over said draw roll and thence outwardly therefrom to form upper and lower reaches, means connected to the ends of said draw member for moving the same longitudinally of said frame to thereby extend the upper reach of said sheet, and means connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same from said frame.

32. An invalid carrier comprising a portable stretcher frame, a transverse draw member thereon, a flexible stretcher sheet connected at one end of said frame and extend- 7 ing inwardly over said draw roll and thence 3 0 outwardly therefrom to form upper and lower reaches, means connected to the ends of said draw member for moving the same longitudinally of said frame to thereby extend the upper reach of said sheet, means connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same from said frame, and means on said frame for engaging and supporting the upper reach of said sheet.

33. An invalid carrier comprising a portable stretcher frame, a transverse draw member mounted thereon, a flexible stretcher sheet having strengthening cross slats, said sheet being connected at one end to one end of said frame and extending inwardly over said draw member, the latter being longitudinally movable to thereby extend said sheet in operative position upon the frame, and shifta ble supporting devices on said frame for engaging the side edges of the extended operative portion of said sheet. v

34. In an invalid carrier, a portable stretcher frame comprising connected side Copies of this patent may be obtained for bars havin guide ways therein, transverse draw member longitudinally movable insaid guide ways, a flexible stretcher sheet con heated at one end to said frame and extending inwardly over said draw member and thence outwardly therefrom, means connected to the ends of said draw member for shifting the same longitudinally of said frame to thereby extend said sheet, and supporting devices on said frame for engaging and upholding the extended sheet.

35. In an invalid carrier, a stretcher frame comprising connected side bars having guide ways therein, a transverse, rotatable and longitudinally movable draw roll mounted in said guide ways, a flexible stretcher sheet fixed at one end to one end of said frame and exten'c'ling inwardly over said draw roll and thence outwardly therefrom to form a stationary upper reach and a movable lower reach, winding devices connected to the ends of said draw roll for movmg the same longitudinally of said frame and thereby extending the upper reach of said sheet, winding devices connected to the lower reach of said sheet for withdrawing the same, and means on said frame for supportin the upper reach of said sheet.

36. n invalid carrier comprising a portable whe'eled frame, a stretcher frame suspended from said wheeled frame, and a flexible stretcher sheet therefor, said stretcher frame having means for supporting said sheet, and a transverse member arranged to engage a fold of said sheet and cooperate therewith to effect the extension and withdrawal of successive transverse portions of said sheet into and out of stationary position beneath the recumbent invalid.

37. In an invalid carrier, a portable frame, a stretcher frame carried by said portable frame and adapted to be held in position thereby over the supporting surface of a bed or the like, a flexible stretcher sheet having a stationary upper reach and a movable lower reach, means for extending the upper reach of said sheet over the supporting surface of the bed and beneath a recumbent invalid thereon, and means for supporting the extended upper reach of said sheet on said stretcher frame. v 1 a HERMAN VIZENTS.

five cents each, by addressing the Gbmmissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. i i 

